Apparatus for cleaning brake shoes or the like



Nov. 7, 1961 H. K. BIGELOW 3,007,235

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING BRAKE SHOES OR THE LIKE Filed April 2, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

HARRY K. BIGE L OW AT TOBJNEY Nov. 7, 1961 3,007,285

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING BRAKE SHOES OR THE LIKE H. K. BIGELOW 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 2, 1959 INVENTOR.

HARRY K. BIGELOW ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1961 H. K. BIGELOW 3,007,285

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING BRAKE SHOES GR THE LIKE Filed April 2, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 ."li' 53..;'ii N o o I o O O INVENTOR. HARRY K. BIGELOW 21% M g itz ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1961 H. K. BIGELOW 3,007,285

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING BRAKE SHOES OR THE LIKE Filed April 2, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. HARRY K. BIGELOW ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1961 H. K. BIGELOW 3,007,235

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING BRAKE SHOES OR THE LIKE Filed April 2, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. HARRY K. BIGELOW BLYMAJ 1122 ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR CLEANING BRAKE SHOES OR THE LIKE Filed April 2, 1959 Nov. 7, 1961 H. K. BIGELOW 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG.6

INVENTOR HARRY K. BIGELOW ATTORNEY BYj Nov. 7, 1961 H. K. BIGELOW APPARATUS FOR CLEANING BRAKE SHOES OR THE LIKE Filed April 2. 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG. 7

FIG. 8

INVENTOR HARRY K. BIGELOW BY ak;

ATTORNEY United States atent 3,007,285 APPARATUS FOR CLEANING BRAKE SHOES OR THE LIKE Harry K. Bigelow, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to West Realty, Inc., Cygnet, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 2, 1959, Ser. No. 803,675 2 Claims. (CI. 51-13) This invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning brake shoes or similar articles of the type where the articles to be cleaned are tumbled in a rotating drum structure.

In general, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a drum rotatably mounted to a frame structure. A resilient sheet means is extended around the inner cylindrical surface of the drum and spaced therefrom to form a surface for supporting the articles to be cleaned. A collecting means for shot or other similar granular particles is located centrally of the drum and includes a plurality of radially extending blades which continuously impel shot downwardly against the articles to be cleaned as said articles are tumbled in the drum. A plurality of shot collectors are disposed in spaced relationship around the inner surface of the drum and serve to pick up the impelled shot and reload it in a shot collecting means that continuously supplies shot to the impeller blades.

As one aspect of the present invention, the present novel article cleaning apparatus includes an article supporting surface formed by a continuous perforated resilient belt which serves to yieldingly receive the impact exerted by the shot and further serves as a part of the shot collecting means.

As another aspect of the present invention, the present novel article cleaning apparatus includes, as one modification thereof, tubular shot collectors mounted in spaced relationship around the inner surface of a rotatable drum and intermediate resilient sheets having ends connected to the tubular shot collectors between shot intake openings and shot discharge openings formed in the tubular collectors.

As still another aspect of the present invention, the article cleaning apparatus is provided with a scale collecting means which is located so as to cooperate with the shot collecting means in removing scale from the articles being cleaned from the interior of the rotatable drum.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred forms of embodiments of the invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of an article cleaning apparatus constructed according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevational view of an article cleaning apparatus constructed according to the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a side clevational view of an article cleaning apparatus constructed according to the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a front sectional view of the apparatus of the present invention with the section being taken along the line 4--4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a front sectional view of a modified interior construction which can be installed in an article cleaning apparatus such as that shown in FIGURES 1 through 3. The section is taken along a vertical plane through the center line of the apparatus;

FIGURE 6 is a front sectional view of a second modi- 3,007,285 Patented Nov. 7, 1961 fied interior construction which can be installed in an article cleaning apparatus such as that shown in FIG- URES 1 through 3. The section is taken along a vertical plane through the center line of the apparatus;

FIGURE 7 is a partial side sectional view of the ap paratus of FIGURE 6, the section being taken along the line 77 of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a second partial side sectional View of the apparatus of FIGURE 6, the section being taken along the line 88 of FIGURE 6.

Referring in detail to the drawings, FIGURES 1 through 3 illustrate an article cleaning apparatus constructed according to the present invention which includes a main frame indicated generally at 10 which carries a plurality of trunnions 11 upon which is rotatably mounted a drum indicated generally at 12 and provided with an access opening 13 having a door 14 mounted on a pivoted support 15 carried by frame 10. Trunnions 11 are mounted on shafts 16 and 17. Driven pulleys 20 and 21 are mounted on shafts 16 and 17, respectively, and receive motive power from a motor 22 which drives belts 23 and 24, as is best seen in FIGURE 2.

Referring next to FIGURES 3 and 4, the interior of the drum contains an impelling assembly for shot or other similar granular particles is indicated generally at 25 which assembly is mounted to a stationary rear wall 26. Impeller assembly 25 includes a plurality of radially extending blades 27 mounted on a shaft 28 which is driven by a belt 46, driven pulley 47, drive pulley 48, and motor 29. A housing 30 surrounds impeller blades 27 and includes a shot discharge opening 31 and a shot intake opening 32, the latter opening being formed in the lower portion of a funnel shaped shot receiving means 34.

Although the notation shot is used throughout the present specification, it will be understood that other similar granular particles can be used in the machine without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention, shot intake opening 32 leading from shot receiving means 34, is positioned, as seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, radially outwardly of shaft 28 which shaft forms the center of rotation for impeller blades 27. In addition, shot intake opening 32 is located at substantially proceeding in the counter-clockwise direction indicated, from a vertical plane through the center of shaft 28. By so locating shot intake opening 32, relative to impeller blades 27 and the downwardly facing shot discharge opening 31, the arrangement serves to properly time delivery of shot to the rotating impeller blades. It should be pointed out that if shot intake opening 32 were positioned at the center of rotation of impeller blades 27, the shot would be subjected to a high centrifugally directed component of force with the result that the shot would be whirled violently against guard 30 causing wear on the guard and excessive noise. It will further be understood that if shot intake opening 32 were located on a vertical plane through the center of shaft 28 and above said shaft or at any place to the right of said vertical plane, the shot would be whirled violently against the housing 30. If shot intake opening 32 were located below a horizontal plane through the center of shaft 28, the shot would be impelled laterally to the right, as viewed in FIGURES 4 and 5, whereby the shot would not be caused to impinge upon the articles 38 being cleaned since said articles necessarily tumble in the bottom of the rotating drum.

As is best seen in FIGURE 3, the inner'surface 35 of rotatable drum 12 carries a plurality of shot collectors 36 to which are mounted a continuous perforated resilient belt 37, said belt forming a supporting surface upon which the articles 38 are tumbled when drum 12 is rotated.

Flexible belt 37 is formed of abrasive resistant rubberized fabric of the type used in industrial conveyor systems. Flexible belt 37 may also be formed of steel sheet metal coated with a rubberized substance and can be formed in one continous length, as seen in FIGURE 4, or in a plurality of individual sections as seen in FIGURE 5.

Reference is next made to FIGURE which illustrates a modification of the present invention. In FIGURE 5 structural elements identical with corresponding elements in FIGURE 4 are designated by identical numerals. The apparatus of FIGURE 5 however differs from the apparatus of FIGURE 4 in that it includes a plurality of tubular shot collectors 36A each of which is provided with a shot intake opening 42 and a shot discharge opening 43. A plurality of resilient perforated belt lengths 37-A are disposed between the shot collectors and each of the belt lengths has a trailing edge 44 secured to a respective shot collector, by any suitable means, intermediate a shot intake opening 42 and a shot discharge opening 43.

As is best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, the frame supports an exhaust fan 50 which includes an exhaust conduit 51 for connection with a scale and dust collector, not illustrated, and an intake conduit 52 extended through stationary wall 26 and into funnel shaped shot collector 34. Intake conduit 52 includes a plurality of downwardly facing intake openings 53 through which the particles of scale and dust are drawn upwardly after the particles have been dumped into the funnel shaped shot collector.

Air for circulation through intake conduit 52 and blower 50 enters the apparatus through upper and lower air intake conduits 80 and 81. Incoming air from the environment passes through lower conduit 81 and circulates upwardly, picking up the dust from the lower portion of the drum. The fiow with entrained particles of dust, then passes downwardly through the open upper end of funnel shaped shot collector 34. The -flow then picks up particles of scale, dumped into shot collector 34 by shot collectors 36 and carries the entrained scale and dust outwardly through openings 53, conduit 52, and blower 50. Intake air also enters through upper air intake conduit 80 which serves to augment the air supply required to pick up the relatively heavy scale.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the right end of intake conduit 52 includes a closure plate 85 whereby the flow of air can enter conduit 52 only through the relatively small downwardly facing intake openings 53. This arrangement provides an upwardly directed flow of air and entrained particles of very high velocity from the interior of funnel shaped shot collector 34 to the intake conduit 52. Since the effectiveness of the flow system, in picking up the relatively heavy particles of scale, is a function of the velocity of entrainment of the particles, it will be understood that such relatively high velocity of flow must be created and maintained in order to efliciently scavenge the particles of scale. At the same time, it should be pointed out that the velocity of flow entering downwardly facing intake openings 53 must be less than the velocity of entrainment for the particular shot being used to prevent the shot from being exhausted from the machine and being wasted. It should further be pointed out that when the shot 40 and particles of scale picked up therewith, are tumbled into funnel shaped shot collector 34, the falling shot and particles will strike the walls of the shot collector and the resulting impact augments the disassociation of the shot and particles of scale, it being understood that the particles and shot have a tendency to cling together making it difficult for the flow of air, alone, to disassociate the particles from the shot.

In operation, brake shoes are introduced into rotatable drum 12 through access opening 13. Door 14 is then closed and operation of the drum driving motor 22, the impeller driving motor 29, and centrifugal blower 50 is instituted by pressing the appropriate switches located on control panel 55. As is best seen in FIGURE 4, rotation of the drum will then commence in the counter-clockwise direction indicated by the arrow 56. The brake shoes are thereby caused to tumble on belt 37 and as the drum rotates, shot collectors 36 pick up shot from the bottom of the drum and as the collectors 36 arrive at a position above funnel shaped collecting means 34 the shot are dumped through perforations 58 and into the funnel shaped shot collecting means 34. The shot then gravitate downwardly into and out through discharge opening 32 located centrally of impeller blades 37. As the shot are metered to the impeller blades they are slung downwardly, by centrifugal action, against the tumbling articles 38.

It should be pointed out that when brake shoes are being cleaned a scale is removed by the impact of the shot which scale is formed as a product of combustion of the bonding agent or oil present on the brake shoes. Such scale is also picked up by the shot collectors 36 and dumped into funnel shaped shot collecting means 34. As the shot falls downwardly from the perforations 58 to the collecting means 34, the strong draft suction created by centrifugal blower 50 draws the particles of scale through the openings 53 in the bottom of intake tube 52 and thence outwardly through blower 50 and discharge conduit 51.

Reference is next made to FIGURES 6 through 8 which illustrate a second modification of the apparatus of the present invention. Elements of the apparatus of FIGURE 6 which are identical to elements of the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 4 are designated by like numerals.

The apparatus of FIGURE 6 differs from that of the preceding figures in that it includes a resilient belt 37-B which belt is not perforated which was the case with belts 37 and 37A previously described. Belt 37-B of FIGURE 6 is mounted within the drum by being passed over a plurality of transverse tubular members and under a plurality of larger transverse tubular members 102. Tubular members 102 are so positioned to form a plurality of concave shot collecting pockets 104 which serve to scoop up the shot impelled downwardly, by impeller blades 27, and dump the shot into funnel shaped shot collector 34.

Belt 37-B is installed in drum 12 prior to welding front wall 106 or rear wall 107 to annular drum portion 108. This is accomplished by welding one of the front or rear walls 106 or 107 to annular drum portion 108 and by then mounting tubular members 100 and 102 to the attached wall. Belt 37-B is then inserted edgewise into the drum to a position overlying tubular members 100 and underlying tubular members 102 as seen in FIGURE 6. The other wall of the drum is next welded in place and the ends of the tubular members 102 are secured to the wall by threaded members 110 which extend freely through holes 112 in walls 106 and 107 and are in threaded engagement with a threaded hole 146 in tube plug 115 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 7.

The smaller tubular members 100 are secured to walls 106 and 107 by threaded elements 117 as seen in FIGURE 8. The ends of tubular members 100 carry plugs 127 provided with threaded holes 128 for receiving the threaded ends of threaded elements 117.

With reference to FIGURE 8, means for tightening belt 37-B i provided by extending two of the threaded elements 117 through a slot 120 in walls 106 and 107 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 8. Radially inwardly extendable threaded elements 122 are carried by brackets 123 mounted on the outer surfaces of walls 106 and 107 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 8 whereby rotation of threaded elements 122 exerts an inwardly directed force on threaded elements 117 whereby tubular members 100 are moved inwardly and belt 37-B is tightened. After the belt has been tightened nuts 125 are tightened to retain tubular members in position.

While the forms of embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed constitute preferred forms, it

is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow:

I claim:

1. An apparatus for cleaning articles by bombardment With granular particles, said apparatu comprising, in combination, a frame; a drum rotatably mounted on said frame and including a peripheral inner surface; a shaft rotatably mounted centrally of said drum and including a plurality of radially extending shot impelling blades; a particle collecting means including, a particle intake opening and a particle discharge opening communicating with said rotatable blades; a first plurality of laterally extending members mounted within said drum in spaced relationship; a second plurality of laterally extending members mounted within said drum in spaced relationship, said second plurality of members being located radially inwardly of said first plurality of members; and a resilient sheet means extended over each of said second plurality of members and under each of said first plurality of members to form a plurality of spaced particle collecting pockets.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 that includes means for moving certain of said laterally extending members relative to certain other of said laterally extending members for tightening said resilient sheet means in mounted relationship within said drum.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,330,949 B-raun Oct. 5, 1943 2,422,786 Keefer June 24, 1947 2,449,745 Jewell Sept. 21, 1948 2,836,400 Jackson May 27, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,760 Great Britain Jan. 30, 1913 

